|
Post by edword3rd22 on Apr 11, 2017 12:25:11 GMT
Hello again guys, first off, very thankful for this forum, it is immensely helpful and convenient in my life as a resource as a passionate sword lover, so thank you. Question of the day, I have a Paul Chen Orchid Katana that needs a full blade sharpening. Any recommendations on the most economical route to go to have that done without ruining the blade? Definitely not gonna do it myself, just trying to find a way to keep it under $300 And still have a beautiful sword on my hands if possible. Thanks again for any advice offered.
|
|
|
Post by 28shadow on Apr 11, 2017 19:13:20 GMT
You might check out Nihonzashi.com
I don't know how much they're full blade sharpening costs, or polishing, but I have considered their sharpening of only the last third of the blade.
|
|
|
Post by LG Martial Arts on Apr 12, 2017 2:24:23 GMT
You can also contact Appleseed Edge ( Voltan) and Wes Beem ( Lonely Wolf Forge). Well respected on the forum for sharpening people's sharp n pointies.
|
|
|
Post by Richard Arias on Apr 12, 2017 3:25:35 GMT
Hello again guys, first off, very thankful for this forum, it is immensely helpful and convenient in my life as a resource as a passionate sword lover, so thank you. Question of the day, I have a Paul Chen Orchid Katana that needs a full blade sharpening. Any recommendations on the most economical route to go to have that done without ruining the blade? Definitely not gonna do it myself, just trying to find a way to keep it under $300 And still have a beautiful sword on my hands if possible. Thanks again for any advice offered. Nihonzashi is your best bet. They have sharpened out of their shop in Florida for over 10 years and have Been Sharpening for Swordsman privately for even longer. The current Sharpening is done by a senior Student James trained by Femal Sensei. He just did a "Sharpening Polish" on a Shinsakuto for me and did a good job. Being Swordsman for many years, Vendors and Craftsmen put the people at Nihonzashi in a good mindset for sword work. They know what to expect from production swords, they know how a user sword should perform and they know craft. They are doing a custom rework of a Raptor waki for me currently. It's my 13th project I believe they have done for me. I often tell people they are like a good neighborhood mechanic to guys like Randy Black and Josiah Boomershine being big name shops. Or the difference between a Barber and a Stylists hip to all the latest trends. They do good midlevel work. They can stone sharpen and hybrid Polish. They have Symmetry, high grit, and proper geometry down in their work. But can't use finger Stones and won't work on antiques. I can tell you from experience that your orchid will be considerably sharper than it was new. The regular Sharpening will look a bit muddy and show scuffs from skipping grits. But it will be high grit, symmetrical and smooth as glass. The "Sharpening Polish" is only better for looks because it gets rid of all the stone marks. It is more a clean mirror look. I only say Nihonzashi is Your best bet over fellow forum users because they take the whole blade into account not just the very edge. To many people here can just hone the very edge and neglect the rest.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 12, 2017 13:29:07 GMT
Yet, Keith Larman and a number of others known for polishing high end blades indicate that honing is all some blades need to be blazing sharp. Keeping them sharp is a lot less work than starting over if the edge is not maintained. That said, Nihonzashi does have an faq section for their services and they have a great track record. More than one though have been disappointed in Nihonzashi scuffing up their blades when not accounting for what Nihonzashi indicates they will or will not do. www.nihonzashi.com/sword_sharpening.aspx#Standard_Sharpening
|
|
|
Post by Richard Arias on Apr 12, 2017 21:07:55 GMT
Yet, Keith Larman and a number of others known for polishing high end blades indicate that honing is all some blades need to be blazing sharp. Keeping them sharp is a lot less work than starting over if the edge is not maintained. That said, Nihonzashi does have an faq section for their services and they have a great track record. More than one though have been disappointed in Nihonzashi scuffing up their blades ;) when not accounting for what Nihonzashi indicates they will or will not do. www.nihonzashi.com/sword_sharpening.aspx#Standard_Sharpening I am referring to people here who just buff and hone the last few Millimeters of the Ha like MAS does on its stock blades. Keith Larhman nor any other polisher does this on a blade. It has become popular here because it can be done with some power tools and strops. But it takes more than just that to make a proper cutting sword. As for people complaining about Nihonzashi "scuffing up their blades" your confusing scuffs from cutting vs the grit marks left behind in their standard resharpen. I have attached a harsh light picture to show this. Then a cutting scuff below that. If the grit marks bother people spring for the Sharpening Polish. It's why Nihonzashi offers it. But it's twice the price because it's a lot more cosmetic steps. The OP will have to make the call. But it seems clear that people lack experience in Proper Sharpening of a Japanese style blade. The Orchid is a pricey sword. So I would go with the Sharpening Polish. But if the OP only has the $150 it's better than letting some hobbyist do if for less and ruin a $800 sword. Attachments:
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2017 5:35:39 GMT
Yet, Keith Larman and a number of others known for polishing high end blades indicate that honing is all some blades need to be blazing sharp. Keeping them sharp is a lot less work than starting over if the edge is not maintained. That said, Nihonzashi does have an faq section for their services and they have a great track record. More than one though have been disappointed in Nihonzashi scuffing up their blades when not accounting for what Nihonzashi indicates they will or will not do. www.nihonzashi.com/sword_sharpening.aspx#Standard_Sharpening I am referring to people here who just buff and hone the last few Millimeters of the Ha like MAS does on its stock blades. Keith Larhman nor any other polisher does this on a blade. It has become popular here because it can be done with some power tools and strops. But it takes more than just that to make a proper cutting sword. As for people complaining about Nihonzashi "scuffing up their blades" your confusing scuffs from cutting vs the grit marks left behind in their standard resharpen. I have attached a harsh light picture to show this. Then a cutting scuff below that. If the grit marks bother people spring for the Sharpening Polish. It's why Nihonzashi offers it. But it's twice the price because it's a lot more cosmetic steps. The OP will have to make the call. But it seems clear that people lack experience in Proper Sharpening of a Japanese style blade. The Orchid is a pricey sword. So I would go with the Sharpening Polish. But if the OP only has the $150 it's better than letting some hobbyist do if for less and ruin a $800 sword. I'm not confusing anything Rici. Again, Keith and a host of practitioners easily recommed ceramic and diamond rods for a quick hone to refresh an edge. Is the original poster going to spend $600 and more to do a full polish on a $800 sword? Maybe, I don't see the odds as great. I included the link so others can read for themselves instead of someone reciting information while standing on the shoulders of giants.
www.swordforum.com/forums/showthread.php?90109-A-newbie-sharpening-question
|
|
|
Post by 28shadow on Apr 13, 2017 5:47:52 GMT
I second the diamond rod. Used it myself to restore a good cutting edge to my CS Warrior. No problem, just took about 45 mins of careful work and it's back to sharpness.
|
|
|
Post by Richard Arias on Apr 13, 2017 6:30:11 GMT
I am referring to people here who just buff and hone the last few Millimeters of the Ha like MAS does on its stock blades. Keith Larhman nor any other polisher does this on a blade. It has become popular here because it can be done with some power tools and strops. But it takes more than just that to make a proper cutting sword. As for people complaining about Nihonzashi "scuffing up their blades" your confusing scuffs from cutting vs the grit marks left behind in their standard resharpen. I have attached a harsh light picture to show this. Then a cutting scuff below that. If the grit marks bother people spring for the Sharpening Polish. It's why Nihonzashi offers it. But it's twice the price because it's a lot more cosmetic steps. The OP will have to make the call. But it seems clear that people lack experience in Proper Sharpening of a Japanese style blade. The Orchid is a pricey sword. So I would go with the Sharpening Polish. But if the OP only has the $150 it's better than letting some hobbyist do if for less and ruin a $800 sword. I'm not confusing anything Rici. Again, Keith and a host of practitioners easily recommed ceramic and diamond rods for a quick hone to refresh an edge. Is the original poster going to spend $600 and more to do a full polish on a $800 sword? Maybe, I don't see the odds as great. I included the link so others can read for themselves instead of someone reciting information while standing on the shoulders of giants. I can actually dig up an old SFI post where Larhman mocks me for using a diamond hone stone. But that was many years ago and not worth all the effort to dig through years or posts to find it... And have never met a polisher who will tell you that you taking a diamond stone and to a Sword makes their job easier. Nihonzashi will tell you they always start low grit and have to work up often to correct asymmetrical geometry from home sharpening Job's. The OP can pay 150 to get a sharp blade with some grit marks left over. Or 300 for a smooth grit mark free sharpening polish from Nihonzashi. I am not telling the OP to do anything else. I in fact stated these to be the best options for his needs. A Hanwei Orchid deserves more than a DIY attempt with a Diamond hone stone. The OP already said he didn't want to do it himself. So eco option is Nihonzashi because their sharpening brings function and proper geometry. But both lack cosmetics of fingerstone or full hybrid Polish. Wes From Lonely Wolf does not resharpen Japanese Work and Voltan I have not seen resharpen any Japanese style work... I know their are a few others here that resharpen for backyard cutters, but their work is poor quality. I took a few shots of the Sharpening Polish Shinsakuto of mine. Most of what Nihonzashi fixed you can't see in the picture. A previous owner took diamond Stones to an art Polish with bad cosmetic results. Asymmetrical geometry all over the place. Cost me $350 to get everything up to standard. The Ji and Ha are straight, flat, symmetrical, and like glass. Nihonzashi finishes at around 30,000 grit with their own fingerstones. This blade is a mirror and still bits of Hada, Hamon, and Habuchi details come through. The sword is SHARP. But beyond sharpness has to be attention to detail. If you have a sharp edge... But a wavy, uneven and asymmetrical Polish it can effect cutting. Mostly though such things are hallmarks of bad work. I'm not standing on anyone's shoulders. I made a recommendation based on an established company with whom I have sent work for 10 years. I have actually owned blades and paid for work from many name people. Also many here low key... And I can't recommend many of the low key forum people for an Orchid Rework. It's frustrating because people keep making recommendations without having seen and cut with blades sharpened by Nihonzashi, hand polished (in Japan or Otherwise), Hybrid Polished ex. Your post contributed nothing because there was none of your experience nor ownership of a quality sword... A debate with me does nothing for this thread Sir. So unless you have some helpful first hand information to contribute to this thread why keep going?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2017 3:08:59 GMT
I posted a link to a thread specifically showing your guys (Chris and Keith) advocating the use of diamond for honing and repair. That kind of contradicts what you just wrote.
You now continue to take a path of mocking others for their understanding and abilities. My points continue to underline that less can be more, especially if not wanting to remove or mess up an existing polish. I am not dismissing Nihonzashi. In fact clarified the option simply by offering a link instead of pontificating on and on about your own credits.
You know my inventory that well?
My one loaner katana is maintained much like other sharp blades I own. That poor thing has been cut with by many and still shaving sharp since spring 2003. For the most part, I can agree Nihonzashi may suit some but someone blithley shipping it out to them and then receiving what a novice views as scuffed is not an individual case in point. Were you to remember much about your time at SFI, you might remember those incidences. I do, hence knowing where to find the thread I linked with two credible polishers regarding honing and diamond. I could toss in Paul Smith and Dave Drawdy as practitioners also using hones. You might remember Paul, as the author of the old article "Comparison Chopping". You might remember Dave as well but as I recall it, you weren't a very frequent participant in the JSA subforum.
This statement kind of sums up what you want someone to do. Kind of insist on it.
My contributions to this thread continue to be offering an alternative. A $10 hone may be all someone needs to solve the problem. Or, look at the possibilities (including Nihonzashi). That the OP doesn't want to do it is a check mark in your column but even then we learned little about the sword's existing condition.
I'm not knocking your street cred here, I'm just a guy that doesn't go much by needing to read resumes.
Cheers
Glen Cleeton; who knows nothing, right?
|
|
|
Post by Voltan on Apr 14, 2017 3:29:50 GMT
LG Martial Arts , as always, thank you for the confidence and the referral. However, I do not work on Japanese swords. ...But if the OP only has the $150 it's better than letting some hobbyist do if for less and ruin a $800 sword. Young man, please show some respect, and do not refer to me as "some hobbyist." I am a service provider and a knifemaker. Part time, but a service provider and a knifemaker nevertheless. I have never ruined anyone's swords, and I'm not planning to either. That is why I declined the job you inquired of me about a year ago. Part of providing a good service, in my opinion, is knowing when you are out of your depth. That said, does Josh at Cottontail Customs offer a polishing service?
|
|
|
Post by Richard Arias on Apr 14, 2017 3:50:37 GMT
LG Martial Arts , as always, thank you for the confidence and the referral. However, I do not work on Japanese swords. ...But if the OP only has the $150 it's better than letting some hobbyist do if for less and ruin a $800 sword. Young man, please show some respect, and do not refer to me as "some hobbyist." I am a service provider and a knifemaker. Part time, but a service provider and a knifemaker nevertheless. I have never ruined anyone's swords, and I'm not planning to either. That is why I declined the job you inquired of me about a year ago. Part of providing a good service, in my opinion, is knowing when you are out of your depth. That said, does Josh at Cottontail Customs offer a polishing service? Sir, Was not talking about you or WES. There are a few people peddling service that are in the online Facebook sword groups and here as well. And they are hobbyists. So maybe you should not jump to conclusions...
|
|
|
Post by edword3rd22 on Apr 15, 2017 9:26:22 GMT
Well that escalated quickly...
Thanks for all the input guys, at this point I think I'm gonna go with nihonzashi and do the sharpening polish. $300 was already what I was hoping to get it at or below so that works out and I've had more than one source vouch for the quality of their services. Thanks again guys.
|
|
|
Post by Richard Arias on Apr 16, 2017 19:28:31 GMT
Well that escalated quickly... Thanks for all the input guys, at this point I think I'm gonna go with nihonzashi and do the sharpening polish. $300 was already what I was hoping to get it at or below so that works out and I've had more than one source vouch for the quality of their services. Thanks again guys. Because they are a real shop and store they operate much like a retail outlet. So customer service and satisfaction are a big deal. If your not happy they will fix it or refund it.
|
|